Restaurant-Style Grilled Chicken Pasta Salad

Ingredients

• 0.5 tsp Himalayan pink salt (For the chicken; or to taste)
• 0.5 tbsp Paprika powder (For the chicken)
• 1 tsp Garlic powder (For the chicken)
• 1 tsp Black pepper powder (For the chicken)
• 1.5 tbsp Lemon juice (For the chicken)
• 350 g Boneless chicken fillet
• 1 tbsp Cooking oil (Source states 1–2 tbsp)
• 2 tbsp Water (Source states 2–3 tbsp)
• 0.333 cup Cream (For the ranch dressing)
• 2 tbsp Lemon juice (For the ranch dressing; source states 2–3 tbsp)
• 0.333 cup Low-fat mayonnaise
• 0.5 tsp Onion powder
• 0.25 tsp Black pepper powder (For the ranch dressing)
• 0.5 tsp Garlic powder (For the ranch dressing)
• 0.25 tsp Himalayan pink salt (For the ranch dressing; or to taste)
• 3 tbsp Milk (Source states 3–4 tbsp)
• 1 tbsp Fresh dill (Chopped)
• 1 tbsp Fresh parsley (Chopped; substitute the herb of your choice)
• 200 g Penne pasta (Boiled)
• 1 Cucumber (1 medium cucumber, as listed in the source)
• 1 Tomato (1 large tomato, deseeded)
• 1.5 cup Iceberg lettuce (Shredded)

Steps

1. 1

   Prepare the chicken seasoning by combining the pink salt, paprika powder, garlic powder, black pepper powder, and lemon juice in a bowl. Mix well.

2. 2

   Add the chicken fillet to the seasoning mixture and turn it until it is evenly coated.

3. 3

   Heat the cooking oil in a frying pan over medium heat. Add the seasoned chicken fillet and cook for 2–3 minutes.

4. 4

   Flip the chicken, add the water, cover the pan, and cook over low heat for 5–6 minutes, or until the chicken is tender.

5. 5

   Let the cooked chicken cool, then cut it into cubes and set it aside.

6. 6

   Make the sour-cream base for the dressing by whisking the cream and lemon juice together in a bowl. Cover and let it rest for 5 minutes.

7. 7

   Add the mayonnaise, onion powder, black pepper powder, garlic powder, pink salt, milk, chopped dill, and chopped parsley to the rested cream mixture. Mix until well combined.

8. 8

   In a large bowl, combine the boiled penne pasta, cubed grilled chicken, cucumber, tomato, and shredded iceberg lettuce. Toss well.

9. 9

   Add the prepared ranch dressing and toss until the pasta salad is evenly coated. Serve.

Notes

The source gives ranges for the cooking oil, water, ranch lemon juice, and milk; the lower end is shown as the numeric quantity and the full range is preserved in the note. The source does not provide a pasta-boiling method because the penne is listed as already boiled.

Nutrition per serving

• main
• salad
• pasta
• chicken
• family gathering
• high-protein
• creamy
• no-bake assembly